Far Away From Green Bay Brings A Ray Of Sunshine

Really wonderful receiving mail from Green Bay. It's wonderful because if I'm getting mail from Green Bay, I must be someplace else.

A typical letter arrived from Robert C. Mudroch. The letter actually was from Altamonte Springs, but Mr. Mudroch says he is a native of Wisconsin and offers no explanation as to why he got out.

''You would never make Lombardi's team, Mr. Green (sic).'' That's okay, Mr. Mudroch, considering where Mr. Lombardi is coaching now. I'm not ready to go there, either. I'm not even sure I can get there.

LAST WEEK: A heavenly rebound. A sterling 9-3 straight up (117-65, a healthy 64 percent) and a solid 8-4 against the spread (90-88-4, which definitely is above .500). Have to take some hellish risks in these last three weeks to salvage the season.

MIAMI (9-4) at GREEN BAY (6-7): TV game. Fish favored by 4 1/2. . . . It's not fair. Fish (and Sentinel writer Brian Schmitz) get a 40-degree walk in the park under clear skies. . . . But that could backfire on Fish, because a thawing Lambeau Field could turn into Fish chowder. . . . Everybody knows the Fish are the superior team, but everybody also knows they could be caught in emotional pinch between Chicago and New England. . . . In a Frozen Fish Stick Upset Special, Pack by 3.

TAMPA BAY (2-11) at MINNESOTA (6-7): TV game. Vikings favored by 6. . . . If this were the old Met, Bucs could mail in their effort as they should have done last week. But a dome and artificial turf should be perfect for Steve Young and James Wilder. Besides, Bucs have to win a road game one of these years. . . . In an Are-you-kidding? Upset Special, Bucs by 1.

LOS ANGELES RAIDERS (9-4) at DENVER (9-4): TV game. Broncos favored by 3. . . . This is the game to watch if you like brutality -- and who doesn't? . . . Raiders have Marcus Allen and defense, Broncos have John Elway and home- field weather. . . . Common sense says go with the home team, but nobody has accused me of having a lot of that lately. . . . In a Big Hunch Upset Special, Raiders by 6.

INDIANAPOLIS (3-10) at CHICAGO (12-1): Bears favored by 19! . . . Says Dolts Coach Rod Dowhower: ''We're making progress, but boy, it's really painful at times.'' Rod, you don't know what pain is all about. Bears will trash your team in five minutes. . . . But with Jets coming up, Bears may not have the attention span to hold a 19-point lead. . . . In a Merciful Point- spread Upset, Bears by just 17.

DALLAS (9-4) at CINCINNATI (6-7): Cowboys by 2 1/2. . . . Yes, we all know by now that Cowboys are 16-1 after 10-day Thanksgiving rest. But the Bengals have driven me bananas all season. . . . In a Bananas-and-Boomer Upset Special, Bengals by 7.

NEW JERSEY GIANTS (8-5) at HOUSTON (5-8): Giants favored by 7. . . . In last three games the Oilers defense has allowed average of 477 yards and 36.7 points. And Oilers offense flinches if it faces someone with bad breath. . . . Giants by 36.7.

ATLANTA (2-11) at KANSAS CITY (4-9): Chiefs favored by 3 1/2. . . . Games like this could kill the league. . . . Look for a miracle by the Falcons secondary: It will make Todd Blackledge look like a quarterback. . . . Chiefs by 17.

NEW ORLEANS (5-8) at St. LOUIS (4-9): Cards favored by 3. . . . Another wonderful game. . . . Saints under delusion that an S.O.B. (Son of Bum) is what they need. Cards, at least, have no delusions. . . . Cards by 5.

DETROIT (7-6) at NEW ENGLAND (9-4): Patsies favored by 8. . . . We all know Lions are 1-6 on road, but did you know they are 0-10 in last 10 games after Thanksgiving layoff? Still, beware this game. Patsies probably looking ahead to Miami encounter so they may do just enough to win. . . . In a Looking Ahead Point-spread upset, Patsies by just 6.

CLEVELAND (7-6) at SEATTLE (7-6): Parity Game of the Week. Seahawks favored by 4 1/2. . . . Seahawks QB Dave Krieg is key. In seven victories he has completed 64 percent of his passes with 18 touchdowns and 2 interceptions; in six defeats he has completed 43 percent with 4 touchdowns and 15 steals. How do you feel, Davie? . . . Davie says he feels fine. . . . Seahawks by 7.

PITTSBURGH (6-7) at SAN DIEGO (6-7): Parody Game of the Week. Chargers favored by 5. . . . I'll take Dan Fouts and give you Mark Malone and David Woodley. Steelers heading toward first losing season since 1971. . . . Chargers by 10.

NEW JERSEY JETS (9-4) at BUFFALO (2-11): Jets favored by 9. . . . Bills owner Ralph Wilson says Coach Hank Bullough definitely will be back next year -- but he didn't say what Hank would be doing. Repeat after me, Hank: ''Get your cold beer, right here, cold beer!'' . . . Please note: Bills are not in the Bo Jackson race as they traded next year's No. 1 pick to Cleveland and the Browns used it to take Bernie Kosar. Poor Bills. Poor Browns. Lucky Bo. . . . Jets by 20.

LOS ANGELES RAMS (9-4) at SAN FRANCISCO (8-5): Monday night TV. 49ers favored by 10. . . . Despite their record, I always knew the Rams were no good. Despite their record, I always knew 49ers still were second best team in league. . . . But 10 points is too high because 49ers don't care about how much they win by as long as they win. . . . In a Defensive Point-spread Upset, 49ers by just 7.